Time flies, always fleeting by inadvertently. Inadvertently, the setting sun has hung on the top of the mountain, and with only the last breath left, he is about to fall into the abyss, and the city gradually regains its tranquility.

The military order of the curfew was implemented a quarter of an hour ago. The lively carnival last night has become a thing of the past. All that is left is the solemnity brought by the curfew and the infinite depression on the eve of the war.

In the military camp in the south of the city, the soldiers had packed their gear, and the sound of sharpening knives became the main theme of the entire military camp.

Everyone knew that they were about to embark on a new journey! But obviously, although the air pressure in the military camp was still low, there was no sadness before the expedition in the past.

The reason is simple: two complete victories have given them enough confidence. As long as the general is here, they have no fear of any enemy.

Although until now, they only know that the enemy on the opposite side is from Yan State. As for the number of people, weapons and equipment, morale, etc., they know nothing about it.

Perhaps, they don't need to know. They just need to remember to follow the general closely and rush towards the direction pointed by the blade in the general's hand. That's enough!

Of course, as the soldiers at the lowest level, they can do this, but the generals, who are the specific executors of military orders, cannot do this, especially the senior commanders.

Before embarking on the journey, it was necessary for Zhao Kuo to explain his plan to his generals, well, at least the two generals Li Mu and Zhou Qi.

So, in front of a simple sand table in the impenetrable Chinese military tent surrounded by soldiers, Zhao Kuo was making the final strategic deployment.

"In this battle with the Yan army, the total strength of our army is Daijun's troops going south, about 30,000 cavalry, 3,000 infantry to defend the city and 400 of our own generals, in addition to Handan City

The defenders have about 30,000 infantry, totaling about 63,400 people." As usual, Zhao Kuo first began to analyze the strength of the enemy and ourselves.

"As for the Yan army, according to the investigation, it almost overturned the country." Zhao Kuo paused for a moment, then looked at Li Mu and Zhou Qi, and slowly said an almost desperate figure:

"Their total strength is about 160,000."

"What?!" they both said in shock.

"Where did the Yan State come from so many soldiers?" Li Mu then continued to ask. Li Mu had obviously paid attention to this neighboring country. Even when dealing with the Hu people, the border soldiers of the two countries would cooperate with each other. Therefore,

Although he did not dare to say how much he knew about the Yan State, Li Mu still had some understanding of the basic situation of the Yan State.

Since the defeat of Qi failed and was pushed back by Tian Dan, the State of Yan could be said to have been in ruins. Although it still had a certain advantage over the Hu people in the north, it was still facing the Hu people.

When facing the various countries in the Central Plains, he was firmly in the last echelon with the country of Han. What was the situation of the country of Han? Qin and Zhao fought a vigorous battle on his territory, and he didn't even dare to give a damn.

Even with this large piece of strategically located land divided between Qin and Zhao, no one even thought about asking its owner, the Kingdom of Han.

Today, the Kingdom of Han only has one county left. If it weren't for Qin and Zhao who still needed a buffer zone, the Kingdom of Han would have been destroyed long ago.

What about the Yan State? It wasn't much better. A battle to destroy Qi wiped out a hundred years of continuation. The following Yan State failed to change its policies, let alone have any intention of recuperating, and still had no dreams of becoming a great nation.

, but there is no strategy to strengthen the country, let alone any actions to strengthen the country.

In such a situation, the state of Yan is almost deteriorating. Under the huge financial pressure and the reduction of land area, it is impossible for the Yan army to greatly expand its military strength.

With tens of thousands of border troops and tens of thousands in the capital, the total force should be no more than 100,000, which should be the limit of Yan State.

But now the one hundred and sixty thousand the general said was impossible to achieve from Li Mu's point of view. Zhao Kuo naturally understood where Li Mu's doubts came from.

He immediately explained briefly: "Judging from the intelligence sent back so far, when the Yan army invaded our Zhao country, they lost troops when they captured Anping City, which was not an important town and was guarded by less than a thousand people.

Thousands, although it may be suspected of underestimating the enemy, but

Its combat power is indeed worrisome. Therefore, these 160,000 people should be improvised by the militia King Yan." This makes sense. After all, there are still hundreds of thousands of farmers in the Yan Kingdom.

It wouldn't be a problem to scrape together 160,000 yuan.

Li Mu also nodded when he heard this. Sixty thousand elites, against a makeshift 160,000 people, it seems that they are not incapable of defeating them!

There is even a good chance of winning! However, another problem also randomly comes to mind! Whether it is the coordination of the battle formation or the ability to adapt to the situation, this improvised 160,000 people will definitely be much weaker than the original due to the addition of civilians.

force.

In other words, the extra 60,000 men may not only fail to improve the overall combat effectiveness of the Yan Army, but may actually reduce the Yan Army's combat effectiveness?

Why did King Yan do such a useless move? Zhao Kuo's next words seemed to explain this question.

Of course, it is explained by another bigger question.

"Currently, Yan State's 160,000-strong army is divided into two groups. One group of 100,000 people goes south from Anping and goes straight to Handan. The other group of 60,000 people goes west from Anping City and goes straight to Wolanyu City.

"Currently, it's about a day and a half's journey from Laiwolan to the city's headquarters, and there's still two days' journey from Handan's headquarters." Zhao Kuo calmly fiddled with the position of Yan's army on the sand table.

"Ah?" Two incredible voices came out of Li Mu and Zhou Qi's mouths. Obviously, they also saw the mistakes in Yan Jun's move.

"Didn't this division of troops give our army the opportunity to attack each one?" Zhou Qi seemed a little unconvinced that this was the Yan army's layout.

"Isn't Lejian so unwise?" Li Mu, who had dealt with Lejian's troops, was even more unconvinced that the Yan army would arrange it like this.

But this is the fact. Zhao Kuo could only reluctantly speculate and said: "The scouts came to report that there was no flag with the word "Le" in the march. I'm afraid Le Jian did not accompany him."

"Huh?" Li Mu frowned in confusion when he heard this, and continued: "Lejian may be the number one general in the Yan Kingdom. How can we not use the courtesy in such a battle that will overwhelm the country?"

"That's not necessarily the case." Before Zhao Kuo could answer, Zhou Qi on the side said first: "I don't see you, it's my king who gave the tiger talisman to Pingyang Jun. Why can't King Yan abandon Lejian?"

No need?" Li Mu was silent for a moment after hearing this.

"In any case, five groups of scouts have learned about the division of the Yan army from different channels. This is an indisputable fact. Whether King Yan underestimates the enemy or is unwise, it is none of your business.

It’s something that needs to be considered.” Zhao Kuo said immediately, which finally brought an end to the argument.

"Yes." They both replied in unison.

"Then the enemy's situation is clear, and the next step is how we should deal with it." Zhao Kuo then continued.

The two people present immediately pricked up their ears.

"It stands to reason that our army should guard Yanyu City and Handan City tightly, and use more than 10,000 cavalry to attack the Yan army's food routes. In less than a month, the cold winter will come, and the Yan army will be short of food and clothing. They will not fight unless they fight.

Retreat. This is how to do it

This is the plan with the least loss of troops and the least danger. In the coming year, we will slowly mobilize troops from Shangdang and Hanoi, and then enter the Kou Yan Kingdom to avenge this attack." Zhao Kuo then put his first plan on the table.

.

After hearing this, the two of them naturally nodded frequently. Although 60,000 people versus 160,000 people had no chance of winning, after all, there was more than twice the difference in military strength. Even if they won, they would probably lose a lot of troops. It was obvious that they would have to wait for the weather.

would be the best way.

But apparently the two of them suddenly realized that before the general made this move, he seemed to have said something

"It stands to reason." Is there anything wrong with this battle?

Is it "reasonable"? Sure enough, the general's voice immediately sounded again: "It's just that Lord Pingyang is holding the tiger talisman by his side. If the army does not turn back to Handan, I am afraid that he will have the desire to seize power."

"Does he dare?" The hot-tempered Zhou Qi immediately became unhappy. Zhao Kuo waved his hand and said, "It doesn't matter whether he dares or not. What's important is that once he chooses to stick to it, it's easy to talk about the city and we can defend it ourselves."

It is said that the Yan army has a force of 60,000, but even if 160,000 arrive together, they can defend it for several months. But what about Handan City?"

"The city of Handan is high and deep, and there are 30,000 elites and hundreds of thousands of civilians inside. How can the Yan army defeat it?" Zhou Qi immediately replied.

"There are no generals in Handan!" Li Mu replied from the side.

"Then, General, I will personally lead 10,000 cavalry to reinforce Handan, and eventually I will have 20,000 troops to defend Yanyu City, which is enough." Zhou Qi once again took charge of the process.

This is really not Zhou Qi's arrogance. Although the strength of the 20,000-strong army is not that large, only one-third of the Yan army's 60,000 troops, in terms of morale and elite level, the Zhao army is far superior to the Yan army.

Don't think it's a problem.

Li Mu also nodded when he heard this. Obviously he also approved this strategy. But Zhao Kuo shook his head after hearing this: "These 60,000 Yan troops are not here for Daijun, but to block this general."

If this general comes out with his army, there is no reason for the Yan army to continue to stay in Yanyu City." Then Zhao Kuo followed.

The deduction continued: "If the partial division of the Yan army follows the general and goes south to fight with the main force, it will be difficult for our army to divide and attack. And Yan and the city's troops will also be in a dilemma - Jin, there are already

The prepared Yan army will definitely be on guard against the retreat; if we retreat, it will be difficult for the 40,000 men in Handan City to carry the Yan army alone."

"What's more, Lord Pingyang will not sit back and watch us divide our troops, and what my king wants is not just that I will lead an army of 10,000 people to go south. Even if I can suppress Lord Pingyang, there is nothing I can do to my king. If there are only 10,000 troops

Lift the siege, I'm afraid the general will be in jail before the siege is lifted." Zhao Kuo sighed softly.
Chapter completed!